During the holiday season, it can be easy to get distracted or forgetful when it comes to fire safety at home, especially when socializing with alcoholic beverages.

In fact, December is the “peak time of year for home candle fires, with Christmas Day having more candle fires than any other calendar day,” according to fire-safety material on Halifax Regional Municipality’s website.

Fire-safety experts have other tips, too: dry and neglected natural Christmas trees are fire hazards, tree decorations should be non-combustible, electrical outlets should not be overloaded, check electrical cords for frayed wiring and wood stoves must be operated carefully and not left unattended.

And they want folks to keep a close eye on those holiday candles.

The municipality’s fire service advises against using candles in bedrooms, where nearly half of all candle fires occur, the city’s website says.